The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26
NICHOLS AND McENERY.
A Comparison Of Their Speeches in the
Present Campaign.
New Orleans Times-Democrat.

Plutarch told history of old by drawing
some interesting parallels or comparisons
between the leading characters Of the Greek
end end Latin al world We may be excused. there
two speeches that have been delivered in the
present political campaign, in which the
issues have been brought out-that in which
Gen. Nichols announced his candidacy be-
Emery INDICATED his Democracy and eX-
planned his administration of the affairs of
the State which the people had oontided TO
him. There lisa marked contrast between
trstiye of the speaker who delivered it.
On Aug. 26, after long preparation end
announcement, Gen. Nichols sprang into
the pclitica! arena in the Sixth Congress
slonal District with long. address urging
himself upon the voters of the State. He
has redelivered this speech at nearly every
Nichols barbecue: and as he has stuck close
to the text it is natural to suppose that the
speech contains Whatever, points be wishes to
make to the people, and lays down all that
dered at, therefore, that tho press and peo-
pie should be generally dissatisfied with it,
as unsa satisfactory and insufficient in refus-
ing to deal with any of the practical qnes-
tions in which the people are interested: and
in failing to define any policy which Gen.
Nichols intends to pursue it elected Cover
nor.
The address was mainly long historical
review OF the Inauguration of himself, tie
honor of which he menopolized, and draw
Ing forth III consequence several protests
from leading Democrats. who claimed that
the Democratic caucus and The people had
something to do with the establishment of
Democratic government in Louisiana. This
back diplomatic episode. suddenly winding
up with Reputation of ''the howlers" and
''cuckoos' who had objected to his nomina-
ton.
# was upon these grounds that he laid
claim to q denomination at the hands of the
Democracy OF Louisiana. Aside from the
claim that Gen. Nichols, personally and
alone, secured the establishment of the
Supreme Court i'll 1877. it will be seen he
presents no other arguments in favor of his
nomination than a purely sentimental ono.
He made no effort to defend or explain his
administration of the State affairs. or to
chow that it has benefited Louisiana; he
pointed out no practical results accomplished;
future: and taking his speech at best, he laid
claim to the government because of his sue
cess in his own installation in 1877. His
whole speech was purely sentimental arg,l-
naent, with here and there bitter inuend2es
against those who opposed him. Up to this
day, sentiment and inuendo have been the
sole arguments that he Oh his supporters
have advanced.
After Gen. Nichols had been in the field
six or seven weeks, and his canyassers had
into an assault on the State administration,
finding this the cheapest argument, Gov
McLnery, at the invitation Of the Democrats
Of Ouachita, REGARDLESS Of faction. stepped
into the field to yindicate his Democracy end
his administration As an oratorical effort
his speech was one of the strongest, most
vigorous and concise delivered in political
campaign i'll the South for many years; but
it is no! with this that we deal. The mere
eloquence OF the speech is not the question.
bnr the spirit eyinced by the speaker, the
character shown by him, the promise thus
afforded to the voters.
No one can say that there is a word in Gen.
! impression it conveys is that he is angry with
a large element, indeed large majority
Of the Democratic party. whom he would
Like to drive out OF it,. OIL the mere question
practical administration OF the affairs of
Louisiana while in his hands. He did not
simply review the sentimental size Of the
question, but he took up, piece by piece,
had been done. what had been accomplished,
what remained to be completed, and how he
proposed to accomplish it, if the people
favored him with e reelection. In doing
this he had. of necessity, to meet the sew, raj
orators, which melted away before the facts
ard documents he cited, and to explain the
motives and origin of the Reform party
| But the bulk, of his speech dealt with the
| great problems affecting the prosperity and
welfare of the people--tile schools, the le,ees,
the public institutions. On each of these
questions he had views, vigorous and deter
mined; ard that these views were practical
| has been shown by the fact that under them
| the levees, schools and public institutions
| have improved since the days of Gen. Mich
| oils, the finances been better managed, the
credit Of. the State advanced.
| What Lesson would Plutarch draw from
this comparison Of speeches-the one sentl,
expressions OF opinions in the affairs OF
State, promising nothing. explaining moth
| ing: the other a vigorous, practical review
of every matter that can interest the people
] OF Louisiana. pointing to what has been
done. and guaranteeing that the good work
! already begun and carried on will be com
pleted? The people are making this coul-
parison in their minds every day. and they
cannot fail to understand and appreciate the
contrast between the two candidates for
| their favor